We have created a step-by-step process that begins with an on-site client consultation to determine the design program. During this consultation, any challenging issues that could impact the design are identified.

Next, our landscape architects produce a site survey to ensure a detailed account of the conditions. This is usually based off of a legal document, for example, the Plat of Survey or a Certified Engineering Plan.

Also accompanying the document is a Site Analysis that accounts for neighbors, views, vehicular traffic, drainage, and site lines. A photo record is taken for future reference.

While the team is reviewing this information along with the design program, the initial concept development begins. This leads to preliminary hand renderings...usually on tracing paper. We then collectively interact, often producing multiple concepts to ensure a site appropriate design. Frequently these concepts are presented to the client to keep them involved in the design process.

Once a concept has been selected, it undergoes further refinement where details like “material” and “scale” are resolved. These iterations of design development often require research, more sketches and even physical models on occasion.

[The images above illustrate a working example of this process. Note the refinement of the initial concepts that ultimately lead to a full-scale model of the proposed outdoor fireplace. This model served as an important step in the development of the final custom-built fireplace and benches.]